Land on a Cloud
Information About Cloud-Based Services
No, this is not a blog post about the clouds we see in the sky. This is about cloud computing. While many may already be familiar with it, cloud computing is a relatively new service. Cloud computing is the practice of saving and retrieving data and programs over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. This service is very helpful, especially for students like me. Being able to access files whenever, wherever, and on any device I want makes my life more convenient and productive.
Still hard to understand? Here’s an analogy:
Using a cloud-based service is like using a taxi. You can call a taxi and use it anytime. Also, you can call as many taxis you want — if you’re into that. Once you exit a taxi, you can call another to come pick you up. The point is, a taxi will always pick you up and drop you off anytime just like saving files on the cloud and being able to access them anytime.
Cloud-Based Services
Microsoft OneDrive
Originally called “SkyDrive” in 2007, OneDrive gives users the ability to store documents, music, photos, etc. directly implemented on Windows devices and for Microsoft apps. OneDrive can also be downloaded on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store for iOS and Android devices, respectively. As a student who uses a Windows PC and a Microsoft Surface, this is my primary and favourite cloud-based service as it offers the alternative of having to carry a USB key or emailing documents to myself.
Google Drive
One of OneDrive’s top competitors is Google’s version, Google Drive. While OneDrive is implemented on PCs, Google Drive is solely online with their apps of Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. Much like OneDrive, users can add photos, music and other files as well. It can also be downloaded on Android devices, of course, and iOS devices. One thing it sets it apart from others is that multiple users can be on it at one time anywhere and anytime to view, suggest or edit. This offers the alternative of emailing documents or other files back and forth for editing.
Whichever service you use, the internet will always be cloudy.